Diplomatic fireworks lit up skyline at India Gate

NEW DELHI: A typical winter evening at India Gate turned magical on Friday, with a spectacular fireworks and projection show. Hundreds gathered at the sprawling lawns to witness the show, which was originally scheduled for December 1. The wait, many said, was worth it.

India Gate has long been a monument to our history, but on Friday the sandstone and granite structure became a canvas for our collective culture. At nine on the dot, images showcasing Indian and Japanese cultures projected on the structure — scenes of snowcapped mountains, flowering fields, river banks, lush greens, and peacock feathers, and those depicting festivals like Eid, Holi, and Diwali among others — as the show marked the grand finale of the 60th anniversary of Japan-India diplomatic relations.

The projections lasted for about ten minutes, and the final image screened on the India Gate showed intertwining flags of both countries.

Perhaps a testament to integration of cultures was the punctuality of the show. Those who walked in late, left disappointed as they missed almost all of the approximately 22-minute show.

Sounds of wonder resonated through the crowd as they watched the projections on the monument, taking pictures every time the India Gate changed colours. A dazzling display of fireworks - about 2,200, at a height of about 400 feet - immediately followed the projections, painting the night sky with brilliant lights. People watched with awe in their eyes and cups of hot tea in their hands, as the crackers lit up like a million different stars. The sparking lights faded away within a few seconds, only to be replaced by bigger and brighter ones.

Thunderous applause and loud whistles and cheers resounded as the fireworks ended, and children, even some adults, left wanting for more. "I was hoping they would restart the entire show once it ended," said Akhil Sawhney, 12.